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Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Narges Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade behind bars. Photo: Narges Mohammadi Foundation via AFP

Middle East

Iran detains Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi in ‘brutal’ arrest

The activist’s brother says she was beaten on the legs, held by her hair and ‘dragged down’ by security forces personnel.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:18AM

Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

9 Dec 2025 - 8:44AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

6 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

5 Dec 2025 - 7:29PM

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong held a special prayer session at Kowloon Mosque in Tsim Sha Tsui to pay respect to the victims of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Dickson Lee

Artificial intelligence

Senators unveil bill to keep Trump from easing curbs on AI chip sales to China

The SAFE CHIPS Act is a rare effort led in part by Trump’s own party to stop him from further relaxing tech export restrictions on Beijing.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:45AM

Middle East

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:58AM

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Women gather next to an anti-US mural in Tehran. The list of countries targeted in the US memorandum includes Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Pacific nations

How sanctioned Russian oil flows freely via a tiny Pacific island nation

Some 20 tankers registered in the microstate allegedly smuggled Russian and Iranian fuel between 2024 and 2025 amid lax oversight.

2 Dec 2025 - 12:50PMvideocam

Middle East

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

2 Dec 2025 - 5:20PMvideocam

The Philippines

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

1 Dec 2025 - 4:02PM

A Filipino soldier demonstrates how to operate a missile system during a joint military exercise with the US in August last year. Photo: AFP

Pakistan

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

27 Nov 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

Residents clear debris from houses destroyed in air strikes in Khost, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

India

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

26 Nov 2025 - 6:50PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Khashoggi’s widow and Democrats demand release of ‘shocking’ Trump-Saudi call

The call with the Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi’s killing involved a quid pro quo, US congressman Eugene Vindman says.

22 Nov 2025 - 4:36AM

China's military weapons

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

20 Nov 2025 - 8:11PMvideocam

Models of China’s J-35A and J-10CE fighter jets on display at this year’s Dubai Air Show, which opened on Monday. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong

For Hong Kong’s outsiders, zines offer what the city doesn’t – space, dignity and voice

At workshops and festivals, some are embracing DIY publishing as a slower, more human way to find connection and tell their stories.

18 Nov 2025 - 10:00AM

A zine in progress by singer-songwriter Cheryl Chow, aka Cehryl. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Middle East

Iraq PM Sudani claims election win after early results show decisive lead

The incumbent prime minister’s candidate list is in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes, about 217,500 more than the next closest list.

13 Nov 2025 - 7:39AM

Middle East

US sanctions firms from China to India over Iranian weapons

The US also targeted Ma Jie, an individual based in China, who is accused of helping Iranian defence officials meet Chinese suppliers.

13 Nov 2025 - 3:49AMvideocam

United States

Opinion | Trump’s nuclear turn risks upsetting fragile global strategic balance

US president may have wanted to project strength, but nuclear weapons testing could further isolate America and spark a new cold war.

13 Nov 2025 - 12:02PMvideocam

Socialist Unity Centre of India activists burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump at a rally to mark the 80th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bomb attack, on Hiroshima at the end of WWII, in Kolkata on August 6. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Iraq voters turn out in numbers as region watches on

Over 12 million people took part despite influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr calling on his supporters to boycott the election.

12 Nov 2025 - 6:12AM

Syria

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

Climate change

Dam reservoir levels in Iran’s second biggest city ‘drop below 3 per cent’

Water firm boss in Mashhad, the nation’s holiest city, says managing water use ‘has become a necessity’, not just a recommendation.

10 Nov 2025 - 1:27AM

An Iranian taxi driver splashes water on himself to cool down during intense heat in Tehran. File photo: Reuters

Middle East

Civilians or terrorists? Israeli drone strike kills 2 Lebanese brothers

The latest attacks came as the EU voiced concern over Israel’s continued strikes despite its year-old ceasefire with Lebanon.

8 Nov 2025 - 9:53PM

Members of the Lebanese Red Cross inspect the wreckage of a vehicle struck by an Israeli drone in the town of Shebaa on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Middle East

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

8 Nov 2025 - 2:07AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China calls for fresh talks on Iran’s nuclear programme to end ‘deadlock’

Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses support for Tehran after Britain, France and Germany’s decision to reimpose sanctions.

7 Nov 2025 - 5:04PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | A US-China thaw could boost Eurasian trade

While China’s interest in Central Asian infrastructure is well established through its Belt and Road Initiative, the US is quietly becoming more active in the region too.

4 Nov 2025 - 4:30PM

A view of Almaty, a cargo hub in Kazakhstan, in 2023. Kazakhstan, which links the large markets of Europe and Asia, has become critical in international transport. Photo: Xinhua

Earthquakes

International condolences pour in after deadly Afghanistan earthquake

A powerful 6.3 earthquake hit northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 20 and injuring hundreds.

4 Nov 2025 - 11:20AMvideocam

People stand on the debris of damaged buildings, in the aftermath of an earthquake in Samangan province, Afghanistan on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel receives remains of 3 more Gaza hostages as fragile ceasefire holds

The return of remains has been the central part of the initial phase of the US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

3 Nov 2025 - 3:58PM

China-Middle East relations

Will China-Iran ties help foster a ‘new Asia’? Envoy sees rebalance in region

Tehran envoy Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli calls on Beijing to provide a ‘balanced’ strategic partnership to help reduce tension in Asia.

2 Nov 2025 - 5:44PMvideocam

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Iran

Iran detains Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi in ‘brutal’ arrest

The activist’s brother says she was beaten on the legs, held by her hair and ‘dragged down’ by security forces personnel.

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

Senators unveil bill to keep Trump from easing curbs on AI chip sales to China

The SAFE CHIPS Act is a rare effort led in part by Trump’s own party to stop him from further relaxing tech export restrictions on Beijing.

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

How sanctioned Russian oil flows freely via a tiny Pacific island nation

Some 20 tankers registered in the microstate allegedly smuggled Russian and Iranian fuel between 2024 and 2025 amid lax oversight.

‘No calm in Beirut’ as more Israeli strikes expected after Hezbollah ultimatum

Israel’s ultimatum to Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah by New Year’s Eve is more about political pressure than an invasion plan, analysts say.

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

Khashoggi’s widow and Democrats demand release of ‘shocking’ Trump-Saudi call

The call with the Saudi crown prince after Khashoggi’s killing involved a quid pro quo, US congressman Eugene Vindman says.

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

For Hong Kong’s outsiders, zines offer what the city doesn’t – space, dignity and voice

At workshops and festivals, some are embracing DIY publishing as a slower, more human way to find connection and tell their stories.

Iraq PM Sudani claims election win after early results show decisive lead

The incumbent prime minister’s candidate list is in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes, about 217,500 more than the next closest list.

US sanctions firms from China to India over Iranian weapons

The US also targeted Ma Jie, an individual based in China, who is accused of helping Iranian defence officials meet Chinese suppliers.

Opinion | Trump’s nuclear turn risks upsetting fragile global strategic balance

US president may have wanted to project strength, but nuclear weapons testing could further isolate America and spark a new cold war.

Iraq voters turn out in numbers as region watches on

Over 12 million people took part despite influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr calling on his supporters to boycott the election.

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

Dam reservoir levels in Iran’s second biggest city ‘drop below 3 per cent’

Water firm boss in Mashhad, the nation’s holiest city, says managing water use ‘has become a necessity’, not just a recommendation.

Civilians or terrorists? Israeli drone strike kills 2 Lebanese brothers

The latest attacks came as the EU voiced concern over Israel’s continued strikes despite its year-old ceasefire with Lebanon.

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

China calls for fresh talks on Iran’s nuclear programme to end ‘deadlock’

Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses support for Tehran after Britain, France and Germany’s decision to reimpose sanctions.

Opinion | A US-China thaw could boost Eurasian trade

While China’s interest in Central Asian infrastructure is well established through its Belt and Road Initiative, the US is quietly becoming more active in the region too.

International condolences pour in after deadly Afghanistan earthquake

A powerful 6.3 earthquake hit northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 20 and injuring hundreds.

Israel receives remains of 3 more Gaza hostages as fragile ceasefire holds

The return of remains has been the central part of the initial phase of the US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10.

Will China-Iran ties help foster a ‘new Asia’? Envoy sees rebalance in region

Tehran envoy Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli calls on Beijing to provide a ‘balanced’ strategic partnership to help reduce tension in Asia.

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work